US10516952B2 - Combination audio input and hearing aid kit - Google Patents

Combination audio input and hearing aid kit Download PDF

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US10516952B2
US10516952B2 US15/339,235 US201615339235A US10516952B2 US 10516952 B2 US10516952 B2 US 10516952B2 US 201615339235 A US201615339235 A US 201615339235A US 10516952 B2 US10516952 B2 US 10516952B2
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hearing aid
audio
electrically coupled
disposed
pair
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US20180124523A1 (en
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Rhonda Thrasher
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    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R25/00—Deaf-aid sets, i.e. electro-acoustic or electro-mechanical hearing aids; Electric tinnitus maskers providing an auditory perception
    • H04R25/55—Deaf-aid sets, i.e. electro-acoustic or electro-mechanical hearing aids; Electric tinnitus maskers providing an auditory perception using an external connection, either wireless or wired
    • H04R25/556—External connectors, e.g. plugs or modules
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R1/00—Details of transducers, loudspeakers or microphones
    • H04R1/10—Earpieces; Attachments therefor ; Earphones; Monophonic headphones
    • H04R1/1033—Cables or cables storage, e.g. cable reels
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R2225/00—Details of deaf aids covered by H04R25/00, not provided for in any of its subgroups
    • H04R2225/021—Behind the ear [BTE] hearing aids
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R2225/00—Details of deaf aids covered by H04R25/00, not provided for in any of its subgroups
    • H04R2225/021—Behind the ear [BTE] hearing aids
    • H04R2225/0216—BTE hearing aids having a receiver in the ear mould
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R2225/00—Details of deaf aids covered by H04R25/00, not provided for in any of its subgroups
    • H04R2225/023—Completely in the canal [CIC] hearing aids
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R2225/00—Details of deaf aids covered by H04R25/00, not provided for in any of its subgroups
    • H04R2225/61—Aspects relating to mechanical or electronic switches or control elements, e.g. functioning
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
    • H04R25/00—Deaf-aid sets, i.e. electro-acoustic or electro-mechanical hearing aids; Electric tinnitus maskers providing an auditory perception
    • H04R25/60—Mounting or interconnection of hearing aid parts, e.g. inside tips, housings or to ossicles
    • H04R25/603—Mounting or interconnection of hearing aid parts, e.g. inside tips, housings or to ossicles of mechanical or electronic switches or control elements

Definitions

  • a combination audio input and hearing aid kit including a hearing aid device.
  • an audio Y cable connector having a pair of upper ports and a lower port, a first audio cable having a proximal end selectively electrically coupled to the hearing aid device and a distal end selectively electrically coupled to a first of the pair of upper ports of the audio Y cable connector, and an earbud headphone selectively electrically coupled to a second of the pair of upper ports of the audio Y cable connector.
  • the combination audio input and hearing aid kit is thus uniquely structured to privatize hearing options for a hearing impaired person by allowing a wearer to directly connect a hearing aid device to a remote electronic device and an earbud headphone.
  • the present invention relates to hearing aids, and more particularly, to a combination audio input and hearing aid kit.
  • the general purpose of the present combination audio input and hearing aid kit is to provide a combination audio input and hearing aid kit which has many novel features that result in a combination audio input and hearing aid kit which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by prior art, either alone or in combination thereof.
  • the present combination audio input and hearing aid kit includes a hearing aid device having an ear case, a volume dial disposed on the ear case, a battery housing disposed within the ear case, a battery disposed within the battery housing, a battery port disposed on the ear case, an activation control disposed on the ear case, a central processing unit disposed within the ear case, a microphone disposed on the ear case, and a speaker disposed on the ear case.
  • the combination audio input and hearing aid kit further includes an audio Y cable connector having a pair of upper ports and a lower port.
  • a first audio cable has a proximal end selectively electrically coupled to the hearing aid device and a distal end selectively electrically coupled to a first of the pair of upper ports of the audio Y cable connector.
  • An earbud headphone is selectively electrically coupled to a second of the pair of upper ports of the audio Y cable connector.
  • a second audio cable has a first end selectively electrically coupled to the lower port of the audio Y cable connector and a second end selectively electrically coupled to a remote electronic device.
  • the remote electronic device can include, but not be limited to, a cellular phone and a tablet.
  • the hearing aid device is selectively wearable in a first of a pair of ears of a wearer, and the earbud headphone is selectively wearable in a second of the pair of ears of the wearer.
  • the hearing aid device is optionally one of a behind-the-ear hearing aid and, alternately, an in-the-canal hearing aid. It is envisioned that the earbud headphone can optionally be a second hearing aid device if a wearer must connect to the remote electronic device using a pair of hearing aid devices rather than just a single device.
  • FIG. 1 is a front isometric view showing a behind-the-ear hearing aid.
  • FIG. 2 is an exploded view.
  • FIG. 3 is a side elevation view.
  • FIG. 4 is a front isometric view showing an in-the-canal hearing aid.
  • FIGS. 1 through 4 an example of the instant combination audio input and hearing aid kit employing the principles and concepts of the present combination audio input and hearing aid kit and generally designated by the reference number 10 will be described.
  • the combination audio input and hearing aid kit 10 includes a hearing aid device 20 having an ear case 22 , a volume dial 24 disposed on the ear case 22 , a battery housing 26 disposed within the ear case 22 , a battery 28 disposed within the battery housing 26 , a battery port 30 disposed on the ear case 22 , an activation control 32 disposed on the ear case 22 , a central processing unit 34 disposed within the ear case 22 , a microphone 36 disposed on the ear case 22 , and a speaker 38 disposed on the ear case 22 .
  • the combination audio input and hearing aid kit 10 further includes an audio Y cable connector 42 having a pair of upper ports 44 and a lower port 46 .
  • a first audio cable 40 has a proximal end 50 selectively electrically coupled to the hearing aid device 10 and a distal end 52 selectively electrically coupled to a first 54 of the pair of upper ports 44 of the audio Y cable connector 42 .
  • An earbud headphone 56 is selectively electrically coupled to a second 58 of the pair of upper ports 44 of the audio Y cable connector 42 .
  • a second audio cable 60 has a first end 62 selectively electrically coupled to the lower port 46 of the audio Y cable connector 42 and a second end 64 selectively electrically coupled to a remote electronic device 66 .
  • the hearing aid device 20 is optionally one of a behind-the-ear hearing aid 68 and, alternately, an in-the-canal hearing aid 70 .

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Acoustics & Sound (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Neurosurgery (AREA)
  • Otolaryngology (AREA)
  • Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
  • Headphones And Earphones (AREA)

Abstract

A combination audio input and hearing aid kit including a hearing aid device. An audio Y cable connector has a pair of upper ports and a lower port. A first audio cable has a proximal end selectively electrically coupled to the hearing aid device and a distal end selectively electrically coupled to a first of the pair of upper ports of the audio Y cable connector. An earbud headphone is selectively electrically coupled to a second of the pair of upper ports of the audio Y cable connector. Lastly, a second audio cable has a first end selectively electrically coupled to the lower port of the audio Y cable connector and a second end selectively electrically coupled to a remote electronic device.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
Not Applicable
FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
Not Applicable
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISK
Not Applicable
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Various types of hearing aids are known in the prior art. However, what has been needed is a combination audio input and hearing aid kit including a hearing aid device. What has been further needed is an audio Y cable connector having a pair of upper ports and a lower port, a first audio cable having a proximal end selectively electrically coupled to the hearing aid device and a distal end selectively electrically coupled to a first of the pair of upper ports of the audio Y cable connector, and an earbud headphone selectively electrically coupled to a second of the pair of upper ports of the audio Y cable connector. Lastly, what has been needed is a second audio cable having a first end selectively electrically coupled to the lower port of the audio Y cable connector and a second end selectively electrically coupled to a remote electronic device. The combination audio input and hearing aid kit is thus uniquely structured to privatize hearing options for a hearing impaired person by allowing a wearer to directly connect a hearing aid device to a remote electronic device and an earbud headphone.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to hearing aids, and more particularly, to a combination audio input and hearing aid kit.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The general purpose of the present combination audio input and hearing aid kit, described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a combination audio input and hearing aid kit which has many novel features that result in a combination audio input and hearing aid kit which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by prior art, either alone or in combination thereof.
To accomplish this, the present combination audio input and hearing aid kit includes a hearing aid device having an ear case, a volume dial disposed on the ear case, a battery housing disposed within the ear case, a battery disposed within the battery housing, a battery port disposed on the ear case, an activation control disposed on the ear case, a central processing unit disposed within the ear case, a microphone disposed on the ear case, and a speaker disposed on the ear case.
The combination audio input and hearing aid kit further includes an audio Y cable connector having a pair of upper ports and a lower port. A first audio cable has a proximal end selectively electrically coupled to the hearing aid device and a distal end selectively electrically coupled to a first of the pair of upper ports of the audio Y cable connector. An earbud headphone is selectively electrically coupled to a second of the pair of upper ports of the audio Y cable connector. Lastly, a second audio cable has a first end selectively electrically coupled to the lower port of the audio Y cable connector and a second end selectively electrically coupled to a remote electronic device. The remote electronic device can include, but not be limited to, a cellular phone and a tablet.
The hearing aid device is selectively wearable in a first of a pair of ears of a wearer, and the earbud headphone is selectively wearable in a second of the pair of ears of the wearer. The hearing aid device is optionally one of a behind-the-ear hearing aid and, alternately, an in-the-canal hearing aid. It is envisioned that the earbud headphone can optionally be a second hearing aid device if a wearer must connect to the remote electronic device using a pair of hearing aid devices rather than just a single device.
Thus has been broadly outlined the more important features of the present combination audio input and hearing aid kit so that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figures
FIG. 1 is a front isometric view showing a behind-the-ear hearing aid.
FIG. 2 is an exploded view.
FIG. 3 is a side elevation view.
FIG. 4 is a front isometric view showing an in-the-canal hearing aid.
 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
With reference now to the drawings, and in particular FIGS. 1 through 4 thereof, an example of the instant combination audio input and hearing aid kit employing the principles and concepts of the present combination audio input and hearing aid kit and generally designated by the reference number 10 will be described.
Referring to FIGS. 1 through 4 the present combination audio input and hearing aid kit 10 is illustrated. The combination audio input and hearing aid kit 10 includes a hearing aid device 20 having an ear case 22, a volume dial 24 disposed on the ear case 22, a battery housing 26 disposed within the ear case 22, a battery 28 disposed within the battery housing 26, a battery port 30 disposed on the ear case 22, an activation control 32 disposed on the ear case 22, a central processing unit 34 disposed within the ear case 22, a microphone 36 disposed on the ear case 22, and a speaker 38 disposed on the ear case 22.
The combination audio input and hearing aid kit 10 further includes an audio Y cable connector 42 having a pair of upper ports 44 and a lower port 46. A first audio cable 40 has a proximal end 50 selectively electrically coupled to the hearing aid device 10 and a distal end 52 selectively electrically coupled to a first 54 of the pair of upper ports 44 of the audio Y cable connector 42. An earbud headphone 56 is selectively electrically coupled to a second 58 of the pair of upper ports 44 of the audio Y cable connector 42. Lastly, a second audio cable 60 has a first end 62 selectively electrically coupled to the lower port 46 of the audio Y cable connector 42 and a second end 64 selectively electrically coupled to a remote electronic device 66. The hearing aid device 20 is optionally one of a behind-the-ear hearing aid 68 and, alternately, an in-the-canal hearing aid 70.

Claims (3)

What is claimed is:
1. A combination audio input and hearing aid kit comprising:
a hearing aid device having an ear case, a volume dial disposed on the ear case, a battery housing disposed within the ear case, a battery disposed within the battery housing, a battery port disposed on the ear case, an activation control disposed on the ear case, a central processing unit disposed within the ear case, a microphone disposed on the ear case, and a speaker disposed on the ear case;
an audio Y cable connector having a pair of upper ports and a lower port;
a first audio cable having a proximal end selectively electrically coupled to the hearing aid device and a distal end selectively electrically coupled to a first of the pair of upper ports of the audio Y cable connector;
an earbud headphone selectively electrically coupled to a second of the pair of upper ports of the audio Y cable connector; and
a second audio cable having a first end selectively electrically coupled to the lower port of the audio Y cable connector and a second end selectively electrically coupled to a remote electronic device;
wherein the hearing aid device is selectively wearable in a first of a pair of ears of a wearer;
wherein the earbud headphone is selectively wearable in a second of the pair of ears of the wearer.
2. The combination audio input and hearing aid kit of claim 1 wherein the hearing aid device is a behind-the-ear hearing aid.
3. The combination audio input and hearing aid kit of claim 1 wherein the hearing aid device is an in-the-canal hearing aid.
US15/339,235 2016-10-31 2016-10-31 Combination audio input and hearing aid kit Active US10516952B2 (en)

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Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
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Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
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US10516952B2 true US10516952B2 (en) 2019-12-24

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE102018207922A1 (en) * 2018-05-18 2019-11-21 Vibrosonic Gmbh Multi-part eardrum contact hearing aid placed deep in the ear canal

Citations (13)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
USD318670S (en) 1988-11-29 1991-07-30 Sony Corporation Combined earphone and remote controller
US6620094B2 (en) 2001-11-21 2003-09-16 Otologics, Llc Method and apparatus for audio input to implantable hearing aids
US20050058306A1 (en) * 2003-09-16 2005-03-17 Tseng-Tien Peng USB power amplfied trumpet connecting device
US20050271218A1 (en) * 2004-06-07 2005-12-08 Tseng-Tien Peng Palm type dolby decoding earphone device
US20090046874A1 (en) * 2007-08-17 2009-02-19 Doman G Alexander Apparatus and Method for Transmitting Auditory Bone Conduction
US20110019846A1 (en) * 2009-07-23 2011-01-27 Dean Robert Gary Anderson As Trustee Of The D/L Anderson Family Trust Hearing aids configured for directional acoustic fitting
US8009849B2 (en) 2003-01-13 2011-08-30 At&T Mobility Ii Llc Aided ear bud
US20120189149A1 (en) * 2011-01-26 2012-07-26 Brainstorm Audio, Llc Hearing aid
US8306253B2 (en) 2008-10-31 2012-11-06 Ume Voice, Inc. Modular input/output headset and method of use
US8503708B2 (en) 2010-04-08 2013-08-06 Starkey Laboratories, Inc. Hearing assistance device with programmable direct audio input port
US20130339025A1 (en) * 2011-05-03 2013-12-19 Suhami Associates Ltd. Social network with enhanced audio communications for the Hearing impaired
US20140078462A1 (en) * 2005-12-13 2014-03-20 Geelux Holdings, Ltd. Biologically fit wearable electronics apparatus
US20150350797A1 (en) * 2013-01-15 2015-12-03 Advanced Bionics Ag Removable battery holder in a hearing assistance device

Patent Citations (13)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
USD318670S (en) 1988-11-29 1991-07-30 Sony Corporation Combined earphone and remote controller
US6620094B2 (en) 2001-11-21 2003-09-16 Otologics, Llc Method and apparatus for audio input to implantable hearing aids
US8009849B2 (en) 2003-01-13 2011-08-30 At&T Mobility Ii Llc Aided ear bud
US20050058306A1 (en) * 2003-09-16 2005-03-17 Tseng-Tien Peng USB power amplfied trumpet connecting device
US20050271218A1 (en) * 2004-06-07 2005-12-08 Tseng-Tien Peng Palm type dolby decoding earphone device
US20140078462A1 (en) * 2005-12-13 2014-03-20 Geelux Holdings, Ltd. Biologically fit wearable electronics apparatus
US20090046874A1 (en) * 2007-08-17 2009-02-19 Doman G Alexander Apparatus and Method for Transmitting Auditory Bone Conduction
US8306253B2 (en) 2008-10-31 2012-11-06 Ume Voice, Inc. Modular input/output headset and method of use
US20110019846A1 (en) * 2009-07-23 2011-01-27 Dean Robert Gary Anderson As Trustee Of The D/L Anderson Family Trust Hearing aids configured for directional acoustic fitting
US8503708B2 (en) 2010-04-08 2013-08-06 Starkey Laboratories, Inc. Hearing assistance device with programmable direct audio input port
US20120189149A1 (en) * 2011-01-26 2012-07-26 Brainstorm Audio, Llc Hearing aid
US20130339025A1 (en) * 2011-05-03 2013-12-19 Suhami Associates Ltd. Social network with enhanced audio communications for the Hearing impaired
US20150350797A1 (en) * 2013-01-15 2015-12-03 Advanced Bionics Ag Removable battery holder in a hearing assistance device

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